Rather than jot more notes, she studied him, almost as if seeing him for the first time. The air became turbulent with an attraction that could not be ignored. He shouldn’t like looking into her eyes so damn much, but he did. He shouldn’t be glancing at her sexy mouth, either.
I need to kiss her.
As if sensing his intention, she severed their steamy connection and tapped the second photo with her gloved finger. “Tell me about this one.”
“I don’t know where or when that picture was taken. As an operative, I went on jobs with as few as three, while others had up to six.”
“Everyone’s wearing night goggles. I can’t even see their faces.” She studied the grainy photo. “Does that look like the corner of a street sign to you?”
They leaned toward the photo and their shoulders touched. Rather than move away, they each stayed anchored to the other. His body thrummed from her close proximity. For fuck’s sake, this shouldn’t be happening. He couldn’t think clearly. Her slow, rhythmic breathing, the intoxicating smell of her hair, and her smooth melodic voice had ensnared him in a trap he doubted she’d even set for him.
“What do you think?” She angled her face toward him, giving him a front-row seat to the beautiful dark striations of gray in her eyes. Refusing to stop himself, he kissed her. Just once. But that simple peck sent blood pumping through him.
“Oh, God, Dakota,” she whispered.
The achingly sexy way she’d whispered his name tuggedon his heart. Years ago, he’d locked up his heart and thrown away the key. Since then, women hadn’t fazed him, but this one sure as hell did.
“What do you think?” she repeated the question.
“I’m pissed. You deceived me.”
“I was doing my damn job,” she murmured, before pushing out of the chair. “Let’s drop this picture at the lab.”
“Dusting them for prints is useless. Mine are all over them.”
“I want it enlarged and enhanced.”
Using their phones, they each snapped a picture of it before returning to the lab. Providence set the picture on the counter. “Can you enlarge and improve the quality of this photo? I’m looking for something that might tell us where it was taken or who these men are.”
“We’ll do our best,” said the tech. “Turn-around time is a week to ten days. And don’t ask for sooner because thatissooner.”
Walking down the hall, Dakota blew out an exasperated breath. “Do you think I’m unable to ID myself on a mission?”
They entered the conference room. “All I saw in that photo were four people in tactical gear. That picture could be ofanySWAT team.” She opened a new browser window and typed in ‘SWAT team at night’ and ‘Night photo SWAT team’. Dozens of photos popped up. “I’m working this case like I would any other. It’s not personal.”
“Point well taken.”
Her lips lifted at the corners. “I’ll take that as a win.”
* * *
Providence was on fire. That simple kiss had set her insides ablaze. She was unsure how to manage through all the feels with her new partner. At best, he was difficult. A stubborn man who was used to running the showhisway.
But, she had been trained to be methodical in her approach. To use evidence and clues as building blocks. One step led to another, or sometimes to a dead end. But she would walk the walk and do her damn job, despite the pig-headed partner she’d been assigned to work with.
Nevertheless, being around him had a dizzying effect. Complicated, unfiltered signals flowed between them and she had to fight hard not to reach out and touch him. She was desperate to feel his whisker-covered chin or run her fingers down his sinewy arms.
If eyes were the mirror of the soul, his was a smoldering, quaking volcano, just before a torrent of lava exploded skyward, scorching everyone and everything in its destructive path.
“We need to discuss your missions with ALPHA,” she said.
He glanced at his watch. “I’ve gotta head out. Can you work this weekend?”
“Yeah, but I’m still working at the club.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Well, you don’t needthatjob anymore.”
She slapped her laptop closed. “I won’t bail on my cousin, plus he doesn’t knowthatjob was a cover. I’m headed there now. I’ll talk to him about my hours.”
